Ever wondered how to land that Social Media Manager gig? Well, you’re in the right place! In this guide, we’re going to chat about the simple steps and cool skills that can help you score that dream job. From spicing up your resume to showing off your social media savvy, we’ve got the lowdown on how to shine in the world of social media management. Let’s dive in and make that hiring magic happen!
So, first know who is a social media manager?
A social media manager is someone who meticulously implies strategies and performs them in a social media channel or page owned by a business organisation in order to gain organic traffic and help to develop brand awareness and an impactful online presence for a brand. In recent times, it has become way more difficult to sustain the continuous growth of a brand in the saturated market of social media, and social media marketing is the only key to use.
Successful social media marketing requires the proficiency of having a good grasp of social media. A social media manager is one who performs this operation with a keen eye on on-going trends and technical transformations and curates further marketing strategies accordingly to ensure the social media performance of a brand is unique and progressive. A social media manager is a subject matter expert who can perform this efficiently.
Steps to get hired as a social media manager
If you want to get hired as a social media manager, you have to take the first step.
The competition is huge because prospects are great. So, you have to standout from the others. Here are some of the steps you can take to get hired as a digital marketing manager.
- Build Your Online Presence:
Create a standout profile on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Share content related to social media trends, your experiences, and any cool projects you’ve worked on. For example, post about a successful campaign you ran or share tips on improving engagement.
- Showcase Your Skills:
Create a portfolio that highlights your social media skills. Share links to campaigns you’ve managed or content you’ve created. For instance, include screenshots of posts that gained a lot of likes or comments.
- Get Familiar with Social Media Tools:
Learn popular social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social. Mention these tools on your resume or during interviews to show you’re tech-savvy. For example, say you’ve used Hootsuite to schedule posts and track analytics.
- Stay Updated on Trends:
Follow industry news and stay on top of social media trends. Share your insights in interviews or on your social media profiles. For instance, discuss how you’ve adapted strategies based on recent platform updates.
- Gain Practical Experience:
Volunteer to manage social media for a local business, charity, or a friend’s project. This hands-on experience is valuable and looks great on your resume. Talk about how you increased their followers or engagement during interviews.
- Highlight Your Creativity:
Social media is all about creativity. Share examples of your creative side, whether it’s designing graphics or writing catchy captions. Mention a time you came up with a unique campaign idea that generated buzz.
- Network with Industry Professionals:
Attend virtual or local events, webinars, or join social media groups to connect with professionals in the field. Networking can open up job opportunities. For instance, share your experiences and ask for advice on platforms like LinkedIn.
- Tailor Your Resume:
Customize your resume for social media manager roles. Highlight specific achievements, campaigns, or skills related to the job. For example, mention how you increased a brand’s social media following by 30% in three months.
- Ace the Interview:
Be ready to talk about your experiences and how you’ve tackled challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. For instance, share a situation where a campaign wasn’t going well, the actions you took, and the positive result you achieved.
- Continuous Learning:
Social media is always evolving. Showcase your commitment to learning by mentioning any courses, webinars, or certifications you’ve completed. For example, discuss a recent course you took on social media analytics.
So, these are some of the things you can do if you want to get hired as a social media manager.
Where can you apply for social media jobs?
So, once you are prepared to jump in, you have to look for jobs. Where should you apply ideally to get selected as a social media manager?
Here are some ways of finding jobs:
- Job Search Websites:
Check out popular job search sites like Indeed, Monster, or LinkedIn. Simply type “social media jobs” in the search bar, and you’ll find a bunch of opportunities.
- Company Websites:
Visit the websites of companies you’re interested in working for. Many post job openings directly on their career or “join us” pages.
- Social Media Platforms:
Yup, you heard it right! Some companies announce job openings on their own social media accounts. Follow your favorite companies and keep an eye out for job posts.
- Networking Events:
Attend local or virtual networking events. You might meet people who know of job openings or can connect you with the right folks.
- Career Fairs:
Check if there are any career fairs happening in your area or online. It’s a great way to meet recruiters and learn about job opportunities.
- Recruitment Agencies:
Some companies hire through recruitment agencies. Submit your resume to agencies that specialize in marketing or social media jobs.
- Online Freelance Platforms:
Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr often have social media gigs. It’s a cool way to start if you’re into freelancing or looking for part-time work.
- Local Businesses:
Drop by local businesses and check if they need help with their social media. They might not always post jobs online, so it’s worth asking.
- College or University Career Centers:
If you’re a student, your school’s career center is a goldmine. They often have job listings, and some might be exclusively for students or recent graduates.
- Referrals from Friends:
Let your friends know you’re on the job hunt. Sometimes, they might hear about openings and can hook you up with the right info.
Prepare your resume and portfolio and start applying for social media jobs.
Okay, now what to include in a social media resume?
What should you include in your social media resume?
Prepare a professional resume before you start applying. You can start by including the following information.
- Contact Information:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile (if applicable)
- Objective Statement:
A concise statement expressing your career goals and what you bring to a social media role.
- Summary of Qualifications:
A brief list highlighting key skills and strengths relevant to social media management.
- Professional Experience:
List your relevant work experiences in reverse chronological order.
Include the name of the company, your job title, and dates of employment.
Highlight your achievements and responsibilities, especially those related to social media.
Example: “Increased brand engagement by 40% through the implementation of targeted social media campaigns.”
- Education:
Detail your educational background, including the name of the institution, degree obtained, and graduation date.
- Skills:
Showcase your social media skills, including platform proficiency, content creation, analytics, and community management.
Example: “Proficient in creating engaging content on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Experience with social media analytics tools like Hootsuite.”
- Certifications:
Mention any relevant certifications related to social media management or digital marketing.
Example: “Certified Social Media Strategist – Social Media Marketing Institute.”
- Projects or Campaigns:
Highlight specific social media campaigns or projects you’ve led or contributed to.
Include metrics or outcomes to demonstrate success.
Example: “Managed a successful influencer marketing campaign resulting in a 25% increase in product sales.”
- Professional Memberships:
If you’re a member of any relevant professional organizations or groups, include them.
Example: “Member of the Social Media Managers Association.”
- Software and Tools:
– Specify any social media management tools or software you are proficient in.
– Example: “Experience using Buffer for scheduling and analyzing social media posts.”
- Awards and Recognitions:
– If you’ve received any awards or recognition for your work in social media, mention them.
– Example: “Recipient of the Social Media Excellence Award – Digital Marketing Summit 2022.”
- Languages (if applicable):
– If you are multilingual and it’s relevant to the job, mention the languages you speak.
- Hobbies or Interests (optional):
– Include personal interests or hobbies related to social media or digital trends, if space allows.
Remember to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for and keep it concise, highlighting your most relevant experiences and achievements.
Why do people hire social media managers?
A few distinct reasons for hiring a social media manager are listed below. So, if you are looking for a social media manager job, remember what your manager is expecting from you.
They can save time
Among the necessary elements that social media requires to grow, time is the most necessary among them. You need to give proper time to social media to let it grow. On the other hand, a business also has multiple engagements, and that requires attention.
Therefore, it is wise to invest in a social media manager who will one-directionally put the focus on performing all the required actions in the channels, conduct a seamless process, stay updated, and write scripts for videos, etc. for social media marketing. This will help to save the time of the owner, who is already preoccupied with other business operations.
It’s a way to build strong customer relationship
Social media is now regarded as the most celebrated means of communication. Communicating through brands is also immensely beneficial in this course. A social media manager will efficiently handle client handling in this course. He or she will be active enough to respond and react to all of the inquiries and suggestions that will lure people to get more engaged with the official webpage.
It’s Cost-effective:
A social media manager can help you make the most of your social media efforts by responding to inquiries, offering insightful content, and boosting sales without going over budget. As a result, managers of social media are in great demand. However, a lot of individuals are unaware of how inexpensive and fair it may be to hire a social media manager. To be honest with this information, social media managers are more cost-friendly than other managerial roles. Therefore, social media marketing can also be concluded to be cost-effective.
Objectifies Business Goals:
When choosing a platform for a client, a social media manager starts by learning about the client’s objectives. A social media manager will choose which social media channels to use to accomplish your business goal when they have a clear understanding of it. Social media managers will exercise the operation of social media marketing with caution when it comes to knowing the demographics and other personal data of the target audiences.
